Is it a good idea for me to become a real estate agent?

Question

I am thinking about becoming an agent because it seems like the hours can be really flexible. I have 2 small children and my husband works 5pm-6am 4 nights a week on a rotation of 4nights on, 4 nights off. On his days off, he tends to stay on the night shift, not going to bed until 4 in the morning and sleeping into the afternoon. So I am looking to find something that will fit into his schedule to watch the children. Is this something that can be done as an agent?

Answer 1

I'm sure you will receive all kinds of advise and wisdom here on yahoo answers. And I might as well throw mine in too. But I'm a little more realistic to a fault sometimes.
First, being a real estate agent is owning your own company. While the state laws generally require you as an salesperson to put your license under a broker, the broker is really there to support and supervise your work. But by in large this is your company. You will need capital to get started. Making money in real estate as an agent isn't easy. You have to have great sales ability, good people skills, know how to manage your time and money, you need business sense. But most of all you spend a great deal of money up front and sometimes have no return on your dollar.

Sure you can make your own hours, but you will find they are at the whim of the client. Mostly nights and weekends. Right there impacts your homelife and style with hubby working nights.

It costs alot of money to get into the business and takes alot of money to stay in the business.

You might consider another line of work, one which you could do from home with a computer, like selling on Ebay or something along those lines. Your kids are young and really need you now. So being at home as much as you can is best for them. Try to think outside the box on making money. Maybe ask another question "what other jobs can you do from home to make money?". I'm sure you'll get a wealth of ideas.

Don't mean to burst your bubble, but most do no understand what it takes in this business. Besides, most of us are starving at the moment. Good Luck!

Answer 2

There are many more things to consider than just schedule. You should really work at something that you have a passion for or really enjoy. Will you truly enjoy being a real estate agent?

That said, real estate agents have a lot of time commitments. They essentially work more than 8 hour days and work a lot of off hours. There are staff meetings and formal trainings that are not as easy to schedule. That said, there is some flexibility, but maybe not as much as you might imagine.

Real estate is one of those careers where you really need to put in the time and build up recommendations. The pay isn't terribly good at first. There are start up costs including education and getting yourself into business. Set up a meeting with an experienced real estate agent and talk to them about their career. Many people like to talk about themselves!

Good luck!

Answer 3

The hours are flexible, but you have to put a bunch of hours in, especially when you are trying to get established.

Some offices require that you be in the office a certain number of hours a week, and that you have "floor time" - which is being in the office to answer incoming calls and assist walk in customers.

Another issue is will you be available to your clients? I have a client that will pick up the phone and hope I am available within a few minutes to go see a house. I have heard of Realtors taking their children to showings, but I wouldn't recommend it.

As the others said, it is tough right now, many Realtors are getting part time jobs to help pay the bills or are thinking of getting out of the business entirely. If you have the tenacity to stick with it, it may work for you.

Answer 4

What I do know is that right now is not the time to be getting in to real estate. With houses at a fraction of the prices they were in a good market, and agents working off of commission, it takes many more successful transactions to make a good wage from it. You can always do it on the side, but don't think that it will necessarily be your primary income. You'd have to be selling expensive houses, and you'd have to be SELLING them. You'll show many houses that you don't end up finalizing on.

Answer 5

Yes but you will have to attend a class to become an agent in most states. You will need to go mornings or evenings or weekends. You will take that certified class to be eligible to take the exam for your license. Time to study, take class and complete exam. You will want to put about $1,500 into the whole process form where you are now to being an agent.

Find a larger to mid size agency to hang your license and you may get additional training and support.

Have fun and do the do. It will certainly fill up your day and you can make some extra change for the family.

Smile

Answer 6

Although it is flexible...it also isn't. Real Estate is really something you have to throw yourself into to make any money. You have to be flexible to fit into your clients schedule..it's not the other way around. I would suggest getting a part time job a few hours a day the days you can work.

Answer 7

It's a tough market right now across the country. It depends where you live. Where I'm from, California, there are many sellers and not too many buyers. So you are going to need hustle fiercely and that may require lots of work.

Answer 8

Absolutely. My mom is a real estate agent, and she has flexible time spands. I would highly suggest it because you get a good pay, and its not WORK WORK WORK. You know, depending on the boss, you usually get good time limits

Answer 9

The market is diluted with real estate agents and nobody is buying homes. I would not do it.